'The party of the year': Taste of Elmwood Park offers food and more

Jim Shaefer of Fit to be Fried said a festival isn’t complete without fresh lemonade and funnel cakes. Shaefer’s booth at the Taste of Elmwood Park did its part to meet that standard, serving both items along with other treats.

“We participate in the Taste of Elmwood Park every year,” he said. “The people of Elmwood Park are great.”

The Taste of Elmwood Park took place Aug. 9 through 12 and was located in Central Park. The fest consisted of 23 food vendors, including Johnnie’s Beef, New Star Restaurant and Massa Café Italiano, according to special events organizer Jim Parenti. There was also a Taste Lounge for adults, featuring cocktails and a DJ.

Parenti said other activities consisted of carnival rides and games. There was a splash pad as a new attraction for kids. He said the craft corner was popular among children.

Live music included performances by Wedding Banned, The Lounge Puppets and Libido Funk Circus, among others.

At Fit to be Fried, Shaefer said their booth also sold cheese steaks, rib sandwiches and fried oysters, besides the lemonade and funnel cakes.

“We have people who come back every year just for the funnel cake,” he said. “It’s a secret recipe.”

Shaefer said their dough is cooked in a doughnut fryer. He thinks that’s another element that makes them delicious.

“I like the lemonade,” Zachary Anderson said of Fit to be Fried’s signature beverage. “It’s sweet and it’s refreshing on a hot day.”

Frank Quaranta, the head chef at Elmcrest Banquets by Biancalana, said the festival is “like family.”

“It brings everyone together,” he said.

Quaranta said they sold bow tie pasta with vodka sauce, stuffed shells and their “famous” biscotti cookies.

“A lot of people from the town have already tasted our food,” he said. “We have positive feedback.”

Maria Braglia, owner of Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, said she has lived in Elmwood Park for 40 years and has owned her business for 30 years. She said Maria’s sold steak and chicken fajitas at the Taste.

“Elmwood Park is a small town, and it’s like one big family,” she said. “I raised my kids in Elmwood Park. People move away, but then they come right back.”

She said people come to the Taste of Elmwood Park for the diversity of food. Braglia noted that people love Mexican food because of the different spices.

“We’ve been participating in the Taste of Elmwood Park for 20 years,” she said. “We always support our community.”

Rachel Siragusa, a 17-year resident of Elmwood Park, came to the Taste with her daughter, Ava, 13, and her daughter’s friend, Ella. Siragusa said she was hoping to eat sushi and was looking forward to hearing the music.

“There’s a lot to do here,” she said. “There’s great community support.”

Parenti said the village is already making plans for next summer’s Taste of Elmwood Park.

“We are already looking forward to next year,” Parenti said. “I’d especially like to thank Village President [Angelo “Skip”] Saviano and the board for putting on the party of the year.”